Lasse Hallström

Loosely linked to the 'Nutcracker' ballet, with a mixture of real-life reconciliation and high fantasy-style adventure. Morgan Freeman is brilliant as 'Clara's godfather. Great scenery, excellent CGI, but a somewhat disappointing 'nutcracker soldier' character, who bears no relation to the original in the ballet.

Intended for children or as a family movie, and as such we liked it very much. A few tense scenes might trouble a sensitive child, but for most from the age of about six or seven I show more should think this would be an enjoyable - and slightly different - one to watch.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-nutcracker-and-four-realms.html show less

It’s billed as a comedy, whereas I would have called it a romantic drama; inevitably there’s a romantic thread, although that, too, is extremely well done, with a strong friendship developing before any talk of love. There are certainly some amusing conversations, but they made us smile rather than laughing, and they were interspersed with much more serious, sometimes tragic interludes.

But all in all, we thought it an excellent film, one I would highly recommend.

Full review here: show more target="_top">https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2019/11/salmon-fishing-in-yemen-ewan-mcgrego... show less

An excellent film demonstrating contrasts between Indian and French cuisine and culture. Some humour, some tension, some quite disturbing scenes, but overall heartwarming and uplifting.

Not really suitable for children due to the tensions and disturbing opening, but very highly recommended to adults or older teens, particularly those with an interest in cultural clashes, or cooking.

Full review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-hundred-foot-journey-manish-daya...

I liked the book, and - surprisingly for me - liked the movie even better. Perhaps because the mayor was the 'baddie', whereas in the book it was the priest.

Other than that difference, it kept fairly close to the book, and was very well done.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2018/10/chocolat-starring-juliette-brinoche....